Menu

travel, outdoors and good times.

So, last week whilst I should have been studying for my exams my inner-backpacker surfaced and I went to Budapest for 6 days instead. Smart idea, I know.

Budapest is an amazing city with tonnes to offer.

Where to stay

Deciding where to stay is always a difficult choice, especially with Budapest since there are so many places (hostels in particular) with 9/10+ ratings. However, I would look no further than Carpe Noctem Original (OG for short) – in other words the best fucking hostel on the planet. I’ve stayed at many hostels but I’d say there’s only one other than I’ve been to that comes remotely close to this place. It feels like you’re staying at a mate’s place for a few days not at a hostel. The staff are so cool and become more like friends. It’s also extremely easy to meet, well actually impossible to not meet people. There’s a different activity every day and night and even “family dinner” in the evening. Do no more research and book this fucking hostel!!! (It’s cheap too)

Things to do

Budapest is full of stuff to get up to so you’ll never be bored. If you’re not too hungover during the day, head over to the Buda side of town and see the Castle, Palace and Fisherman’s Bastion. These are all sick sites and will get you all da insta likes you could wish for.

If you’re staying at a hostel and especially a party hostel like OG, expect to start drinking alcohol at around 7pm or earlier. Each night activities can range from ruin bar crawls to boat parties and Spa parties (SPARTY!!!). I’d recommend doing all of these activities if time permits as they are awesome as fuck. The boat party was 7500 HUF which included a bottle of champagne and SPARTY was 12000HUF which was just a cover fee. During the day though, the thermal baths are only 4700HUF.

At a PARTY on a BOAT with a whole bottle of CHAMPAGNE and the coolest people. What’s not to love??

Chill out at Szechenyi Thermal Baths during the day then go all out at the SPARTY in the evening (right through til 3am).

Take a stroll up to Fisherman’s Bastion to cure your hangover.

Drink and Food

I never ate out at night mostly because my hostel offered “family dinner” (a meal cooked by staff) for 700HUF (cheap as fuckkkk).

One day for lunch me and a few friends I made at the hostel went to the no.1 restaurant in Budapest on tripadvisor. It was AMAZING. The place was called Comme Chez Soi and sold everything from steak to pizza. The service was absolutley amazing and we even got some free wine, sorbet and Italian liquor. For 4 people we paid around 22000HUF which for the no.1 restaurant in the city is a steal!

For drunk food, hit up one of the many many kebab stands around town and grab a kebab for as little as 500HUF!!

Comme Chez Soi. No.1 rated on tripadvisor. Must check this place out.

Alcohol in Budapest is not expensive at all. We pre-drank most nights at the hostel, mainly drinking $1 bottles of wine from the supermarket. But even at the bars and clubs you can get a vodka for as little as 500HUF and a good beer for 600HUF which is decent. Be sure to check out Fény Shots – carbonated vodka shots which are scientifically the quickest way to get drunk. They taste pretty good too which is a bonus. There are many ruin bars across the city with Szimpla Kert being the most famous. However, I preferred other smaller places like Anker’t and Kuplung.

Anker’t Ruin Bar. Be sure to try a “Zubrowka and Apple” from this place – 10/10.

“What’s your real job Jonny?” Me after one too many beers.

Other things to do in the city could include GETTING A TATTOO…. Yes that’s right I got my first fucking tattoo in Budapest. I actually got 2. Zero regrets. I went to Knuckle Up Budapest and they were great. The owner is a former backpacker himself and is totally clued up on what he is doing.

Map of Europe and Africa. The smallest of my tattoos.

There you have it. Backpacker’s guide to Budafknpest. Overall I spent around 100,000HUF which for 6 days I didn’t think was too bad. It could of course be done much cheaper but I treated myself many a time and that also includes the cost of both tattoos.

So, it turns out keeping up with a blog is harder than I thought – especially with all the Uni work I’ve being doing (or should have been doing). Anyway, I’m finally getting round to writing about my few days in Paris as part of my Eurotrip last Summer!

The first thing I always get asked about Paris is how did I ever afford 4 nights in one of Europe’s most expensive cities – especially for backpackers. Well, the truth is that Paris can be expensive, however there are bargains to be sought!

Accommodation

As with most places, accommodation will yet again be your biggest expense but that doesn’t mean spending hundreds of Euros on a room with a view of the Tour Eiffel. Paris is crawling with hostels and with airbnb now at our fingertips, finding affordable accommodation is easier than ever. Now, I won’t lie and say that hostels in Paris are cheap as chips because they’re not but if you’re travelling solo and want to meet like minded traveler’s then staying at a hostel may be your best bet! I traveled solo and stayed at St Christopher’s Inn Canal. For 4 nights I paid around 98€ which doesn’t seem that cheap but remember that Paris is one of the most famous cities in the world and I arrived in peak summer season! The hostel itself was good, nothing spectacular. But the staff were friendly and it was easy enough to meet other backpackers!

Another great option could be to couchsurf which is totally free and you get local knowledge of the place you are visiting!

Also, if there are a group of you airbnb could be your cheapest option – however if you’re looking for a great atmosphere and new friends it might be worth it to pay the extra money to stay in a hostel.

Chill by the Canal with a beer or 2 at St Christopher’s Inn.

Food and Drink

It’s no secret that the French capital is home to some of the world’s finest eateries, however I was on a very tight budget seeing as Paris was at the tail end of my trip and so fine dining was not an option!!

The hostel I stayed at offered food starting at around 5/6 euros – there was unfortunately no kitchen in my hostel but many other Parisian hostels do offer a kitchen to keep spending to a minimum. Using airbnb is also a great way to save money on eating out.

It is very possible to eat out and still have money left over for a beer to wash it down. A great place I found was Creperie Genia – a stone’s throw from the famous Notre Dame. Here you can you get a crepe, a panini and a drink all for 4€!! Paris is filled with cheap Pizzerias and there are street food stands in many places – it won’t be hard to find some form of cheap food.

Bars and Clubs

My absolute favourite place in Paris was Rue de Lappe located in the heart of the trendy Bastille area. This place is the perfect spot for bar hopping and for those wanting a few quiet drinks – the street is packed with loads of great places. Many of the places do “happy hour” specials from around 6.pm until around 10.pm (some places even 11.pm) and you’ll be sure to grab a good few deals during these hours! However, even outside of happy hours the prices are kind to your wallet.

My favourite bar on this street was called Bar des Ferrailleurs mainly due to the rustic feel of the place and the real mix of locals, students and travelers like myself. The staff here are so friendly and very happy to help.

Another cool place on Rue de Lappe is Yellow Mad Monkey. This bar is decorated like a jungle and there’s a really buzzing atmosphere. A pint here cost around 5 euros which is pretty reasonable for Paris.

The Yellow Mad Monkey – the place is as mad as its name suggests…

If you’re looking for more than a few chilled drinks then head to concrete, a nightclub situated on a barge! This place was pretty casual and was a lot fun. For full details on prices on specific nights and deals then check out their website.

Things to do

Paris has heaps of attractions that will keep you busy for a good while. The obvious places such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and L’Arc de Triomphe are easily accessible by metro. There’s loads and loads of information out there on these places so I’d rather not go into too much detail!

A great way to get a local’s perspective of the city is to take a free (tip-based) walking tour with Discover Walks. All tour guides are from Paris themselves and therefore know the city inside out. There are a number of walks ranging from Montmarte to Notre Dame. These tours are often much better than the over-priced bus tours.

Notre Dame Free Walking Tour – a great way to see the city

Another very cool place in Paris that’s likely to get you a ton of “insta likes” is Rue Crémieux – the most colourful street in Paris. This place is not very well known and is a hidden gem not far from Gare de Lyon sation.

Take a stroll down Paris’ most colourful street

One last activity is to visit Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement. The park is great for everything from quiet walks to picnics to outdoor cinemas. There are heaps of events here throughout the year and you can check them out on the park’s website.

An outdoor cinema in Parc de la Villette I went to with some friends I made at my hostel. This is seasonal but there are plenty of other events throughout the year.

There you have it – Paris on a shoestring!! If you liked this post then please like this post and give my blog a follow for more travel tips and stories!!

So, during my recent trip around Europe, I decided to stop in Hamburg – mainly because it was the cheapest place to travel to from Copenhagen. But, aside from that, Hamburg is a really awesome city that is somewhat different from the rest of Germany. I’m going to try and break down all the things that I think you should see and do in Hamburg – and how to do it on a budget!!

Accommodation

Accommodation can sometimes be your biggest expense, but there are plenty of cheap options in Hamburg. If you’re on a really really small budget – use couchsurfing and live like a local. However, if you’re like me and like to have a very social atmosphere then stay at a hostel. I stayed at Generator hostel, which is literally thirty seconds from the main station. This hostel is cool and has a really nice atmosphere with something for everyone. Generator has some great happy hour deals and drinks are pretty cheap even outside these hours. You can find rooms for as cheap as €15 a night. Don’t book too far in advance though, book around 2 weeks before you’re trip and prices will be a lot lower than say 2 months in advance! The staff are friendly and are always happy to help – what more can you ask for?

Generator’s social and bar area. Plenty to do for all kinds of travellers.

Food

Fooooood. Everyone’s favourite thing. Now, I was on a tiny budget and couldn’t afford to eat out in nice restaurants – not sure if my flip flop and shorts would’ve been appropriate attire anyways. Not to worry though as Hamburg has plenty of cheap eateries worth checking out! If you decide to stay at Generator there is a HUGE food court across the road in the Hauptbahnhof. There’s everything from Thai to Chinese and of course, German. You can grab a meal for as little as €3. What a steal!!! There’s also a handful of street vendors to get a quick bite.

Who knew that a train station could offer such fine dining?

Places to drink (and party)

Hamburg is crawling with nightclubs and bars. It’s famous for its nightlife and I now know why. Start your night at the hostel, drinking all the happy hour cocktails you can manage and then head to the Reeperbahn in St. Pauli district for a night you will not forget! Pubs, pubs and more pubs. I can guarantee there will be at least one place hear that you enjoy. Yes, it can at times feel a little seedy but genuinely isn’t. There are sex clubs and prostitutes to be seen but you have to remember prostitution is a legitimate trade in Germany. People won’t make you do anything you don’t want to. A simple “no” will do the trick. Now, you must go to the 99cents bar, where unsurprisingly everything is 99cents, from vodka to beer to shots. Spirits may be a little watered down but it’s cheap, so who cares? The Reeperbahn is the best place in Hamburg for a night out, make your way there and an unforgettable night will be had.

The famous Reeperbahn in St. Pauli district of Hamburg. Shots. Shots. Shots.

If the Reeperbahn doesn’t seem like your kinda place (although trust me, there is something for everyone) then head to StrandPauli, an awesome beach bar not far from the Reeperbahn but with a much more relaxed atmosphere. Watch the boats dock as you drink an ice cold beer…or two. This place is amazing, really. There are nice beach chairs to chill on and there’s even sand – how cool is that? Go here and you will not be disappointed!

Hamburg or Hawaii??? Could’ve fooled me.

Things to do and see

Hamburg is bursting with culture and history and this can all be seen by taking a free walking tour. SANDEMANS do amazing free (tip based) walking tours across Europe and I’m glad Hamburg is one of the cities they operate in. There are different tours to choose from such as a Beatles tour and even tours in different languages. I chose to do the standard tour, which was great. I learned and saw so much of the city that you just wouldn’t see on your own. Another great thing is that it picks up from the hostel before the main meeting point at the town hall. If you’re in Hamburg, I highly suggest you do at least one of these tours.

My group on the walking tour. We’re trying to do some German hand gesture…

I’d also recommend chilling by Alster lake in the centre of the city. It’s really nice on a sunny day and you can even walk around it. Of course it’s free so you’ll be saving some cash too.

Take a break from all the sightseeing and chill by Alster lake.

One other place I’d definitely check out is HaffenCity. It’s a new development in the city and a real contrast to the traditional and historical parts of town. Nonetheless, a must see.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. If so, don’t forget to like this post and follow my blog for more of my travel advice.
Also, follow me on social media:Instagram – euroboyontourTwitter – RustyElbows

Copenhagen is known for ridiculously high prices and being an expensive city to visit. However, this isn’t entirely true. I recently visited Copenhagen for 3 nights and was surprised at how exaggerated these claims are. This post aims to breakdown how to spend time in Copenhagen on a small backpackers budget!

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, 9 times out of 10, I would recommend staying in a hostel. And for Copenhagen, I would recommend doing so. Others might say if there’s a group of you, use airbnb or a similar site. However, Copenhagen has so many good hostels and half the things I experienced would never have happened if I didn’t stay in a hostel.

Now, hostels in Copenhagen aren’t cheap, but they are cheaper than hotels! I stayed at Generator Hostel and paid around 250 Kroner (£25) a night for my stay. The hostel was amazing, it had a nice terrace outside to sit and have drinks, and there was cool chill out areas for when you’d had one too many. Be sure to catch happy hour too as you can grab a litre of beer for only 50 kr! I met some of the coolest people at this hostel, some who I know will be friends for life.

The bar and social area at Generator Hostel. A great spot to meet like-minded travellers!

Drinks and clubbing.

This is always a big question as it can sometimes be your biggest expenditure. However, there are some cheap and really cool bars and clubs in Copenhagen. Gothersgade is a stone’s throw from Generator and is packed with cheap bars and eateries. I would definitely recommend Mini Bar, here you’ll find a beer for as cheap as 30kr some nights and never more than 45kr which is so cheap for Copenhagen. There’s a good atmosphere in this bar and there’s even a PlayStation if you need some time out from drinking!
Right next door to Mini Bar, you’ll find Andy’s Bar, which is really rustic and has a real local feel to it. Drinks are around the same price as Mini Bar and there is a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.

There are no shortage of nightclubs in Copenhagen, so here are a few of my favourites:

Zen is a little on the pricey side, however, I only stopped here for around 30 mins. The atmosphere is great and it’s free entry, so do what I did and get drunk beforehand and you won’t need to buy a drink inside. Now, when I say expensive I mean 50kr for a beer which isn’t actually that expensive, but after a few the total does add up! The reason I didn’t stay long is because we were meeting friends at another place and had to leave, but I would recommend checking it out.

Hive is known to some as the best night out in Copenhagen. Although I don’t entirely agree, the place is pretty good. The crowd is young, the tunes are good and the alcohol is relatively cheap for CPH. The club has numerous floors and some of the best DJs. There is an entrance fee which can differ from night to night, so do check beforehand.

Party right through the night at one of CPH’s best clubs.

REMEMBER: It’s LEGAL to smoke inside pubs and clubs in Denmark!

Food in CPH.

Eating out in Copenhagen can be expensive and being a backpacker meant that I decided to get my food from street vendors and bistros serving traditional Danish food.

Rita’s Smørrebrød is somewhere you have to check out. It’s a small deli that sells traditional Danish smørrebrød and it’s delicious! It’s cheap and filling too which is always great when you’re on a budget. I got two slices of smørrebrød and a coke for 40kr – a steal in the Danish capital!! You’ll find Rita’s at Fælledvej 11, 2200 KØBENHAVN.

Traditional Smørrebrød, it tastes better than it looks!

If smørrebrød doesn’t seem like your thing then go to one of the many, many street vendors. You can easily find a hot dog with hundreds of fillings for 20kr. There are also loads of creperies and kebab places in the city. Bagels also seem to be popular!? Not sure why, but I got a HUGE bagel for like 50kr and I could only eat like 1/4 of it. So yeah, for food go to smaller bistros and street vendors!!

What to do and see

Copenhagen is bursting with attractions. From Tivoli to Christiana, there’s something for everyone. Now, there’s simply too many things to mention so I’ll cut it down to a few of my favourites.

Nyhavn or New Harbour is amazing and if you stay at Generator, you’re a five minute walk from here. It’s full of culture and picturesque buildings and you can even buy a beer for 40kr in most of the bars. Or head to the supermarket and buy beer of your own and sit on the banks!

Nyhavn on a glorious summer’s day. The hub of CPH in my opinion.

So, if you’re one of those people who can’t get enough of museums, statues and the like then CPH is great for you. Check out Christiansborg Palace which is now the home of the Danish parliament. Once you’ve seen this, head to Rosenborg Castle, again a great piece of architecture where you can even spot some cool changing of the guards ceremonies! I’m sure you’ve all heard of The Little Mermaid statue in CPH but seriously, it’s so underwhelming. The place is swarmed with tourists and you’ve seen every aspect of the statue in 30 seconds…

One of my favourite places in CPH was Christiania, a free town that has its own laws and rules. It’s like a commune filled with really cool art and amazing people. If you’re into weed, here is where you can buy it. A pre-rolled joint will cost you 50kr. This place is packed at night and has some really cool bars. You can take photos of the entrance but inside the community it’s a no-no. Nonetheless, a must see.

Welcome to Christiana!!

Hej KBH

Hej KBH is an organization that hosts events across the city. I was lucky enough to attend a beach party they held at AmagerStrand Park during my stay. It’s fair to say the beach party made my trip. I went with a few mates from my hostel and had such a good time. Entry is free and alcohol can be bought for 30-40kr per beer. However, I’d recommend buying your own and saving yourself some pennies. The atmosphere was amazing and the locals were so friendly towards us. If you’re in Copenhagen, check out their Facebook page for events they are hosting and if there’s none whilst you’re there, then definitely still check out Amager Beach. I was in Copenhagen during summer so it was really warm but I’ve heard it can get cold, so be sure to take a blanket to keep you warm.

Beach party hosted by Hej KBH at AmagerStrand Park.

Well, there you have it, Copenhagen on a budget. Follow my blog for more posts and be sure to follow me on social media!

Madrid. The Spanish capital famous for flamenco and sangria in mass quantities. I spent 4 nights in this incredible city at the end of June with some mates I went to school with. Despite it being 35℃ for most of our trip – a temperature most Scots have never experienced – it was so so good.

Hostels are probably the best places to stay when you go to a major city like Madrid. Not only will you meet loads of amazing new mates but you’ll often have endless opportunities to see and do things at a much discounted price. We stayed at Way Hostel and it is genuinely the best hostel I have been to. Ever. The staff were so friendly and remembered you by name – something chain hostels don’t have time for. There was a real sense of community in the hostel as over 70% of guests were solo travellers. This made meeting new people incredibly easy. I even found out that not all Australians watch Home and Away (can you believe it) and that they refer to sex as “putting one through her”. Banter. Also, smaller independent hostels like Way genuinely want their guests to have an amazing time unlike many chain hostels whose main aim is to make a large profit. If you plan on staying in a hostel, stay here. There are endless amounts of activities on offer from Flamenco nights to Pub Crawls and even a day trip to the town of Toledo – a UNESCO World Heritage Site!!

Drinking games at the hostel. Who can say no to free Sangria??

A great way to see Madrid is on foot. Many hostels will provide free (tip based) walking tours and you’ll find out so much more than you would on the overpriced bus tours. Again, if you’re travelling alone or just want to meet new people, the walking tour really helps you do that! The walking tour we done took us to all the top places like the Royal Palace, the Opera and the Cathedral. However, we also got to see some places that aren’t typically included in paid tours such as the “Beverly Hills of Madrid”. At the end of the tour our guide told us of all the places to avoid and recommended where we should go for food and drinks. She even invited us to lunch with her at a local restaurant which was so good. I just don’t think you’d get this type of experience with the better known tours.

The Royal Palace, so Royal that not even the King lives there..

The fact that there are no beaches in Madrid shouldn’t put you off visiting. If you’re looking for a cool spot to sunbathe and go for a swim then check out one of the city’s many public pools. The weather was so good when we visited so we wanted somewhere to cool off and relax. We chose to go to a public pool around 20 minutes from our hostel by foot, which is not bad, especially when the weather is so nice. The entry fee was €5 but this included somewhere to store your belongings. You could choose from two different sized pools and there was areas where you could just chill with some snacks. There are lifeguards too so don’t worry if you’re not quite Michael Phelps.

Piscina Municipal Peñuelas. A great place to get away from the busy city centre.

Nightlife in Madrid is incredible and I mean fucking out of this world. I recommend you start your night by going on a pub crawl, either one at your hostel or some other hostel. Clubs or Discotecas don’t open til around 2am in Spain so you’ll have plenty of time to get out your tits by the time the doors open. We visited Madrid during the week and were told it wouldn’t be that busy. I would like to see it on the weekends because, fuck me, it was busy! But in a good way. On Monday we decided to go to the Fucking Mondays event at Independence club. It was amazing, entry is €10 but that includes 2 drinks. Beers are around €2 and Jägerbombs are also €2!! The place is huge and plays a mixture of English and Spanish chart music. However, be aware, the DJ shouts “Fuuuuckinggg Mondayyyyysss” into his microphone like every 15 mins and it’s so so funny. Me and my mates still mock him when we’re on nights out. I would also recommend going to Planet, where for €10 you get unlimited Sangria or Beer for one hour, check out EnBabia club too.

Clubbing with a group of French-Canadians at EnBabia.

Other cool spots to check out are Sol, the main meeting point in Madrid. It has lots of street performers that are worth checking out. Also, Retiro Park is a must see, it’s huge and also has row boats that you can rent at €5 for 45 mins. If you have time, visit Prado Museum, where you can see some of Picasso’s work! Don’t forget to drink unhealthy amounts of Sangria and beer whilst your in Madrid!!!

On the row boats at Retiro Park.

If you enjoyed this post then please like and follow my blog. I will be posting very soon about my upcoming trips to Copenhagen, Hamburg and Paris, so do follow!

Recently, me and a few friends from university took a trip to the South of France and in particular, Marseille. Marseille is France’s second biggest city, however it’s not as touristy as other Southern destinations such as Nice. I have no idea why though… Marseille is a wonderful place with wonderful people. Many people think the French are rude and up tight – to some extent this is true – although the people of Marseille see themselves as somewhat different to other French people. I must say it is clear why. Locals in Marseille are so kind and have all the time in the world for you, something which can’t always be said about Parisians for example. Anyway, I’ll stop rambling and start talking about the actual trip.

I have no idea why we chose Marseille as our destination, probably something to do with the cheap flights, glorious sunshine and the fact we speak the lingo! We decided to rent an appartment from airbnb – my first time using the site – since Marseille doesn’t have too many hostels. However, I was not let down, in fact it was fucking amazing. We had a terrace, yes a terrace, all to ourselves. So, as you can probably imagine we spent a fair bit of time drinking cheap wine on our terrace pretending to be actual French people. Although, we were quietly reminded that we weren’t each time we looked at our pale Scottish skin. Sad times. If you’re thinking of using airbnb do it! Our appartment slept six people and was £50 a night ( we stayed 5 nights and there was 5 of us).

Our terrace. Coolest chill spot in the South.

Beer and Grenadine, Southern drink dubbed ‘un Monaco’.

You might be asking yourself, what actually is there to do in Marseille? Well, the short answer is a LOT. Marseille was crowned European Capital of Culture for 2013 so it must have something going for it, right? The city is full of great food, good nightlife and some of the most amazing scenery I have ever saw. Firstly, if you’re looking for a more chilled break by the Mediterranean then you should hit one of the cities many beaches. Just ten minutes on a bus from the city centre, you can find Plages du Prado, a group of beaches surrounded by stunning hills. There are some beaches in the city centre such as Catalans but they are very busy and not as clean. If you’re feeling more adventurous, take the 30 minute bus ride to Cassis. The small commune just outside Marsielle boasts a lovely beach, beautiful hills covered in Mansions and also the famous Calanques. Calanques are openings in the cliffs, kind of like mini fjords, where you can go swimming and cliff jumping. A must do in Marseille. The bus to Cassis costs around €3 return and leaves from the Centre of town!

Sitting on the rocks in Cassis overlooking the beach and stunning hills.

If you’ve being looking at Marseille for a while, you’ll probably have heard of the Old Port or the Vieux Port in French. It’s the main port in Marseille and is home to some cool, but expensive restaurants. Now, I’m a student and have next to zero money, so unfortunately, I never tried any of these places. However, if you go a few streets back, you’ll find pretty much the same quality of food for a MUCH cheaper price. Food in Marseille isn’t too expensive, we ate out most nights and had two courses and a few beers and wines each with the bill only amounting to maybe €20 each! Now of course you don’t have to eat out, the supermarkets are cheap enough for food and alcohol. I mean, we were buying 20 beers for €8, what more could you ask for?? All I would say is, if you’re planning on eating out most of the time, take some extra money, if you’re on a smaller budget, rent an appartment or book a hostel with a kitchen so you can cook your own food and save yourself quite a bit.

Some boats docked at the Vieux Port.

Nightlife in Marseille isn’t as good as the student town of Aix-en-Provence but it does boast a good mixture of bars and clubs. At the Old Port, you’ll find a choice of Irish bars, traditional French bars and some cool clubs such as Le Trolleybus. If it’s more of a studenty, artisan feel then head to Cours Julien, a street bustling with hip bars and arty street performers, it’s kind of Marseille’s answer to SoHo. One of the coolest places I visited in Marseille was the Dock des Suds, a bunch of old warehouses turned into an events venue that hosts a club night every Tuesday. It’s kind of like a nightclub – but outdoors. How fucking cool is that? And if you’re thinking, nah not that cool. Well, it’s even got a mini football pitch for all the drunken hecklers to pretend they are Zidane for a night. It was also only €3 for a beer which is really good in France.

Put your skills to the test at Dock des Suds nightclub.

There you have it. Marseille. An amazing city full of culture and coolness. Whether you want to chill by the beach or pretend you’re a hipster on the Cours Julien, Marseille has something for everyone. The city has a bad reputation for its 1970s drug crime but genuinely, its not like that at all. So, go and book a flight, you won’t regret it!

So, you’re going to the infamous Dam? Here are some tips of what to do and most importantly what not to do…

Amsterdam is a crazy place and I mean fucking NUTS. My first recommendation is that you stay in a hostel and not an overpriced hotel. Trust me, you’ll meet some of the coolest people and also save a few pennies that can be spent on alcohol and you know.. other stuff.

A typical room at St Christopher’s Hostel. Yes, the walls are very trippy especially after some you know what.

Hostels are great because not only do most provide free (tip based) walking tours for those who love a bit of history, but they run things like pub crawls and open mic nights for those looking for a bit of a party. Happy hour lasts more than an hour and two beers for €5 is a steal in Amsterdam. Most staff in hostels will be travellers just like you, so 9 times out of 10 they will be so friendly and sometimes they’ll even give you a drink on the house. This should be the part where I upload a photo of the pub crawl, however, it’s probably best for me and you, that I don’t. Soz.

Next topic – drugs. For so many people, this is solely what going to Amsterdam is about. I’m not an expert, so if I say something totally stupid about drugs then I do apologise. Anyway, the stench of weed is everywhere you go – so learn to like it! We bought pre-rolled joints from the coffee shops as we were fucking clueless. They were about €5 each, sounds good eh? Well, we went overboard and let’s just say I was in bed for 11pm and my mate was hanging out a window saying that he couldn’t breathe – although to be fair he also had his fair share of psychedelics. Basically, all I would say about drugs in Amsterdam is be careful and know your own limits!!

Food and drink isn’t cheap in Amsterdam. But there are ways around paying an arm and a leg for a meal. If it’s nice, grab some baguettes and ham from the supermarket and make your way to Vondelpark. Or, get some wine and snacks and chill by one of the many, many canals.

One of the quieter canals in Amsterdam. Cool place to get away from the hustle and bustle and just relax!

MONEY.

One of the many things people worry about when going anywhere is how much money the will need. I am not going to lie, Amsterdam is one of the more expensive places in Europe, especially compared to its counterparts in the East such as Prague and Krakow. So, I would recommend not limiting yourself to a tiny budget in Amsterdam. I stayed in Amsterdam for 4 days and spent around €350-€400. I understand this sounds a lot, however keep in mind that I’m 19 and was drinking a LOT of alcohol. Which btw is not cheap in Amsterdam. Everyone is different and wants to see different things so I would allow yourself to have enough money to do and see all the things you want. I usually say the smaller the budget, the better the adventure. However, this is quite tricky when you’re in such an expensive place. Don’t get me wrong though, using things like hostels, airbnb and couchsurfing for your accommodation will save you a huge amount of money. Also, buying food from street vendors and not restaurants will also help you stay within your budget. Most importantly though, have fun.

This was my very first blog post! Although, I’m sure you could probably tell 😉 Anyways, I hope this was helpful/ useful. I will be posting more blogs on my recent trips to Marseille and Madrid and then also my upcoming trip to Copenhagen, Hamburg, Paris and London!! So, stay tuned and keep and eye out for new posts!